By Kathryn McKenna
Chloe Gillard, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging Manager at Version 1, reveals the global digital transformation company’s plans for marking National Inclusion Week for the first time this year.
As a people-centred organisation, in its continued drive to ensure it is as inclusive as possible, Version 1 is celebrating National Inclusion Week, which traditionally runs from 23 to 29 September, for three weeks. This is in a bid to ensure Version 1 employees have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in the events, while still delivering for customers.
The Belonging team at Version 1 is currently hosting a series of events, including five sessions which are all aligned to the theme of this year’s National Inclusion Week, ‘Impact Matters.’ These sessions are all based on important topics, brought to life through the expertise and insight of internal and external speakers. Kicking off internally, the first session hosted speakers from the Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging team based in Version 1 Birmingham, who showcased their work around cultural dialogue.
Efforts in this field have been particularly impactful for the Birmingham team locally, and they were able to share their discovery and learning with the global teams.
External speakers included Sile Walsh, a DEI Inclusive Leadership Consultant and Laura O'Donovan from the National Centre for Diversity, who each gave an impactful insight into inclusive leadership and active allyship. More sessions from internal speakers are still to come, including hearing from the Belonging and Social Value teams at Version 1. Employees will learn how a focus on inclusivity in action has delivered real benefits for both colleagues, customers and the wider community, as well as hearing about social value initiatives that the organisation collaborates on with its customers.
To bring it all to life, there will be a spotlight on some of the incredible individuals across the organisation – showcasing the power of everyone working together, bringing perspectives from a wide variety of different backgrounds and continually driving excellence. Commenting ahead of the busy schedule, Chloe explains: “We are giving our highly-talented people centre-stage to share their lived experience and talk about who they are. We can all learn and grow together leaning on individual and shared experiences and understanding how we can all belong in our work environment as our authentic selves.”
This year’s action-orientated theme includes understanding, identifying and measuring the impact on marginalised groups and being accountable for genuine, sustainable change that matters.
Chloe explains that having a dedicated Belonging team underscores Version 1’s commitment to actionable change, understanding and embedding inclusivity across the organisation.
The team is determined to drive positive social impact through initiatives that not only promote equal opportunities and representation, but genuinely build a true sense of belonging, which must be done through action. “We are wholly accountable in making sure those actions are real and measurable. We want to lead lasting change, not just internally, but with the communities and the wider society we're involved in, which is what this year’s theme of ‘Impact Matters’ is all about.”
Sync NI caught up with Chloe midway through National Inclusion Week for a progress update on the sessions, where she reported a positive uptake in the amount of staff participation and engagement throughout the events. “The events have been incredibly well-supported across the company, with participation from all levels of the organisation."
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The company was intentional about scheduling the sessions at times that could accommodate the majority of their global workforce, which was no small feat given the different time zones they operate in. In order to ensure accessibility for everyone, the team at Version 1 also recorded the sessions, so employees could watch them at their own convenience or revisit them later, which is a feature that many have appreciated and taken advantage of.
Chloe has been particularly impressed with the high level of engagement amongst staff: “The active participation speaks volumes about the culture of curiosity we’re building here at Version 1. It’s clear that people are eager to expand their understanding, challenge their perspectives, and continuously grow their inclusive mindsets. This desire to learn more and do better for each other is at the heart of what makes our organisation special, and it’s directly tied to our commitment to creating a truly inclusive environment where everyone can bring their difference.”
For Chloe, the highlight so far has been the first session with the team from Birmingham who delivered a powerful presentation on Cultural Inclusivity. What stood out most was how authentic and emotional the discussion became, Chloe explains: “It was a real exploration of their lived experiences. This session left me not only challenged but inspired to broaden my perspective and better understand how cultural norms and values, in various parts of the world, shape who we are as individuals.”
The session was a perfect example of how Version 1 is driving inclusion across the global organisation - not just discussing diversity in abstract terms, but taking time to listen and understand each other on a human level. This kind of open dialogue, where team members feel safe to share their personal journeys, really helps break down barriers and allows employees to connect on a deeper level.
The session was a reminder that true inclusion is about taking the time to appreciate the unique perspectives, cultures, and identities that each person brings to the table. “When we do this, we align more authentically with our core values, fostering a work environment where every person feels valued and heard,” Chloe comments.
“This year’s National Inclusion Week has already proven to be a valuable way to bring our teams closer and create lasting change. I’m already excited about the potential for 2025, with plans to expand into an even bigger global celebration, involving more teams and deeper discussions, to make an even greater impact.”
Starting your DEI journey
For companies who have not yet started their DEI journey, Chloe advises the first step should involve building awareness and commitment from leadership to ensure all DEI efforts are supported at top level. It is important that senior teams are actively engaged, which sets the tone for the entire organisation. Once this is secured, the next crucial step is assessing the current landscape of DEI and looking at data with a diversity and inclusion lens. From there, you can start to set your company’s individual goals, which must be specific to your own unique organisation and overall objectives, rather than a ‘one size fits all’ approach. By educating and empowering employees across all levels of the organisation and opening dialogue, people will start to feel heard and valued.
The benefits a successful DEI strategy brings to an organisation cannot be overstated and it is all dependent on trust. Defining and measuring the success of a DEI strategy must be human centric, with people at its core.
Version 1 is global leader in business transformation and for nearly three decades has been strategically partnering with customers to go beyond expectations through the power of cutting-edge technology and expert teams.
To learn more about the current opportunities at Version 1, as well as read further about the company’s comprehensive core values and inclusive DEI culture, visit: version1.com.
Read Sync NI's free online Big Data Belfast autumn magazine here.
